The Tbilisi City Court has found Mariam Mekantsishvili, Nana Sander, Abo Naveriani, and the wanted Anton Uperi guilty in the “October 4 storming” case near the Presidential Palace on Atoneli Street in Tbilisi.
The decision was delivered by Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili. According to the verdict:
- Mariam Mekantsishvili was fined 5,000 lari;
- Nana Sander — 7 years in prison;
- Anton Uperi and Abo Naveriani — 5 years in prison each.
Mariam Mekantsishvili, who was out on bail, did not attend the reading of the verdict and remained in the courtyard of the court.
In total, 12 people were charged in connection with this episode. Of these, eight individuals — Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhsashvili, Giorgi Mumladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Avtandil Surmanidze, and Vakhtang Pitskhelauri — pleaded guilty and entered into a plea agreement providing for a three-year suspended sentence.
Mariam Mekantsishvili, Nana Sander, Abo Naveriani, and Anton Uperi did not plead guilty.
Before delivering the verdict, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili stated that the evaluation of witness testimonies would be reflected in the reasoned part of the court’s decision.
“In my decision, I will pay special attention to the video recordings. The footage captured on them is a more neutral and reliable form of evidence,” — the judge stated.